Civic engagement and human rights matter
At the IAF, we believe that inclusive, democratic societies build stronger communities. When all individuals and groups—regardless of ability, gender, or identity—fully participate in economic, social, and political life, they contribute to stronger governance for their nation. Strong, democratic governments make good neighbors for the United States.
Participatory development has been core to our mission since our founding. We support community-led initiatives that ensure that excluded and marginalized populations have the access, skills, and resources they need to improve their livelihoods. These efforts to expand inclusive opportunities span across all development sectors, including enterprise development, civic engagement, and food security. Ultimately our goal is to encourage the establishment and growth of democratic institutions appropriate to countries where we work in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Talk about community-led development!
Recent News and Stories
Meet the IAF: Associate General Counsel Natalia Mandrus
In this month’s interview, we feature Natalia Mandrus. As part of our Office of the General Counsel, she advises the Board of Directors, Management Team, and staff about legal matters.
Meet the IAF: Sara Vargas
In this month’s Meet the IAF interview, we feature one of our Grant Assistants, Sara Vargas, who works closely with IAF Foundation Representatives to ensure that IAF funding effectively catalyzes the innovative ideas of marginalized groups.
Want to Protect Forests? Supporting Indigenous Groups Works
Two IAF grantees in Paraguay show how a grassroots approach to development can be successful for managing forests.